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My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times but rather is based on the experience of having lived in a fear society and studied the mechanics of tyranny that sustain such a society.

Optimism is infectious, and opportunity irresistible. Progress follows progress. Someone, even government, just has to get it started.

I'm optimistic about the country; I'm optimistic about the American people.

What I've really learned over time is that optimism is a very, very important part of leadership.

In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

We are optimistic, but we are optimistic in a cautious fashion.

We're in a period of revolutionary change. I'm optimistic. One's self changes, and then the world changes. It's going to begin internally, not externally.

I'm confident and really optimistic.

We live in an age of global expectations. Our hopes have converged in many ways, none more so than in our democratic aspirations.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.